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Posted on: Looking for civil debate on Moon vs. Mars
at 11/23/2009 4:19am

Hi Neutrino,

Why is the fact that the moon orbits the earth an argument not to develop it?

I would put that as the ... more(+)

Hi Neutrino,

Why is the fact that the moon orbits the earth an argument not to develop it?

I would put that as the prime advantage of the moon for commercial development. close(-)

Posted on: What's this unusual Lunar feature, showing in Goog...
at 11/20/2009 7:25am

I checked worldwind for my squiggle at 20° 9'0.18"N 19°50'20.22"E but it also appears to be missing. Still, I ... more(+)

I checked worldwind for my squiggle at 20° 9'0.18"N 19°50'20.22"E but it also appears to be missing. Still, I guess that is what everybody has been saying:

I saw snakes on a plain but it was rubbish.  close(-)

Posted on: Why Just 1 confirmed UFO sighting would be importa...
at 11/19/2009 4:21am

While you are debating that, 99.999% of the population would be thinking more along the lines of "Aliens!.. ... more(+)

While you are debating that, 99.999% of the population would be thinking more along the lines of "Aliens!.. aaaaah!" close(-)

Posted on: Most important discovery of the decade?
at 11/18/2009 2:53am

One that is slightly too last-decade for this thread was the discovery that the universe is not just expanding but ... more(+)

One that is slightly too last-decade for this thread was the discovery that the universe is not just expanding but accelerating. (1998 according to wiki) close(-)

Posted on: An idea to re-ignite public passion for space
at 11/16/2009 2:09am

I dont see it as an either-or. Robots have great advantages early on, but once you have infrastructure and a bunch of ... more(+)

Booban wrote:What you say is true Kelvin, but I don't think we will ever get much further than just one 747 until there is a profitable reason to be in space, and space is commercialized like the airline industry.

Yes that is what I meant. Mastering the technology alone wont bring prices down until you have a reason to run many flights. Therefore we shouldnt only concentrate on launch technology, we also have to keep looking for reasons to go, such as investigating the moon, advancing ISRU technology and so on.

Booban wrote:
I also suspect that robotics is over rated. Its hard enough making robots for things and routines you know, but for space? All robots on earth always have a guy nearby ready to kick it...All the costs should be tallied up in such a robot, and then compared to sending a man up there doing what humans do naturally, I don't think robots win. Humans are the perfect robot.

I dont see it as an either-or. Robots have great advantages early on, but once you have infrastructure and a bunch of robots in need of minor repairs it becomes very obvious to send people. Also because there is infrastructure in place you could possibly use the same small landers that you used to land your robots. You only need to land the human and sufficient life support for the trip down. Also by this time the lander would be well tested. Because you have kept everything small you probably do not need an Ares V up front. You might even have a choice of launchers. close(-)

Commented on: 'Significant Amount' of Water Found on Moon
at 2009-11-13 12:49:46

Not only water, but possibly alcohol :)

Commented on: Dark Horse Challenges Dark Matter to Explain Missing Matter
at 2009-11-06 02:57:21

MOND isnt really a theory until it can come up with an explanation of why the maths should be modified.

Good theories ... more(+)

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Commented on: Device Like 'Star Trek' Replicator Might Fly on Space Station
at 2009-11-05 01:07:09

As people have noted, this is actually a very old idea that has taken a long time to approach a useful level. Im ... more(+)

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Commented on: Rocketeers Win $1 Million in Lunar Lander Contest
at 2009-11-04 02:11:52

Im glad it was not a one horse race though. How close where the others?

$500k for armadillo isnt bad. I guess it is ... more(+)

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Commented on: Indian Moon Orbiter Fails Abruptly
at 2009-08-29 19:57:28

That is still 3,400 more orbits than most of us are likely to achieve :)

Its a pity that it seemed to die so soon ... more(+)

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